The Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA), colloquially known as the Frankfurt Motor Show, is held every other year and serves as a showcase for the German auto industry.

Media previews kicked off this week, with debuts from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, as well as other non-Teutonic car makers, including Jaguar Land Rover.

Electric vehicles both conceptual and practical populated the show floor. But much of the pre-show chatter has been about the weakening of Germany's stalwart auto industry, amid a broader discussion about a downturn in Europe. The Frankfurt Motor Show runs until September 22. Here are the coolest concepts and production vehicles:

Audi showed its wild AI:TRAIL concept, an all-electric, autonomous off-roader that capitalizes on Audi's rally-racing heritage and the legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system. It has drones instead of headlights!

The BMW Vision M NEXT is being touted by Bimmer as "a prototype version of the BMW driving experience of tomorrow." The concept showcases a hybrid-electric powertrain mustering 600 horsepower and notching a speculative 0-to-60 mph time of under three seconds.

The Lamborghini Sián uses a battery-less hybrid powertrain — it has a supercapacitor instead — to add 34 horsepower to the Aventador SVJ's 785hp V12. The hypercar debuted in the sheet metal at Frankfurt, giving us an idea of what might replace the Aventador as the brand's "big" Lambo.

Porsche's hotly expected Taycan all-electric sedan was revealed at three different locations prior to Frankfurt, but Frankfurt attendees saw the innovative machine on the show floor. It should be the star of the Porsche booth.

Popular from BI Prime

Close iconTwo crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.